The five obsidian cores harvested from the bone warships sank into the deep soil of the Heavenly Horizon Farm. As the island absorbed their ancient void essence, the silver blades of the Void-Sensing Grass grew taller, weaving together to form a glowing compass that pointed straight into the pitch-black maw of the Void Abyss.
Behind them, the brightly lit trade routes of the Central Hub faded into distant specks of light. Ahead lay a region where normal space ceased to function—a silent, starless expanse of pure dark matter.
— Master, the spatial distortion ahead is off the charts! — Little Ling warned, holding onto Li Xian’s shoulder as her translucent wings sparkled against the dark. — The Ley Lines are working overtime just to keep our atmosphere stable!
Li Xian stood at the bow of the island, his hair fluttering in the invisible void currents. The Realm Core Tree at the center of the domain glowed brightly, casting a protective dome of seven-colored light that shielded the fields from the crushing pressure of the abyss.
— We're close, — Li Xian said calmly, looking down at the ancient jade scroll in his hand. The coordinates on the star chart were flashing in sync with the pulsing ground beneath their feet. — The Primal Seed Vault is right beyond this barrier.
Out from the rift stepped a giant construct forty feet tall, forged from dark star-steel and ancient brass. Its chest housed a rotating core of pure crimson energy, and in its right hand, it wielded a massive claymore that radiated the oppressive aura of a Peak Void Sovereign.
— HALT, TRESPASSER, — the construct’s voice echoed in a metallic, monotonous rumble that vibrated through the void. — I AM SENTINEL PRIME-09, GUARDIAN OF THE PRIMAL SEED VAULT. ONLY THOSE BEARING THE ROYAL BLOOD OF THE ANCIENT GODS MAY PASS. ALL OTHERS SHALL BE ERASED.
The giant construct raised its claymore, channeling the surrounding dark matter into a single, terrifying blade of spatial destruction aimed straight at the island’s core.
— Master! That guardian is a relic from the Primordial Era! Its energy core is powered by a miniature dying star!
Li Xian looked at the glowing star-steel construct, a slow, intriguing smile forming on his face. He didn't order a retreat, nor did he form a defensive barrier.
— A dying star for an energy core? — Li Xian murmured, taking a step forward into the void. — That's not a guardian... that's the ultimate fertilizer for the Realm Core Tree.
With a wave of his hand, the newly grown Iron-Root Vines and Void-Sensing Grass burst outward from the floating island, intertwining into giant, luminous hands that reached across the abyss to greet the ancient guardian.